Just getting killed in the service does not a hero make IMO. A hero may be somebody that lays his life on the line to save or help someone in trouble even knowing that it may cause death or injury to him or herself. I am getting weary of proclaiming everyone a hero just for doing what they are paid to do. I hold people in high regard who serve thier country even though its not mandatory anymore. But that alone don't make them heros. Other heros to me are those who work hard, support thier country and do the right thing when nobody is watching. The hard working people that built this country mainly to pass a better world on to those who follow.
Much like the old saying "beauty is in the eye of the beholder," a hero is very much an individual thing. If there's a fire at the residence of a widowed woman down on Elm Street and a firefighter risks his life to climb into the burning structure and retreive the woman's trapped cat... he might not be a hero to many people, but he would certainly be her hero.
Frankly, though, I'm kinda sick of hearing the word "hero." The media, in general, and many people also, have used it so many times since September 11, most of the time when it didn't even apply to the particular person they were speaking of... I'm just tired of hearing it.
__________________
We must be the change we wish to see in the world -- Ghandi
http://www.rightminded.net
I believe the word hero has become a catch phrase. Before Sept. 11th, it was used to easily. Once again, it as become a norm word. It once again has lost its value and meaning.
This is a pet rant of mine from a different thread...
Quote:
Don't you guys know what a hero is? A hero is a guy who gets three band-aids, comes home on a technicality, pretends to throw away his metals, then spreads viscious lies about the men he served with...
There term Hero is treated pretty much like events in history. It depends who's reporting the facts, the demeanor of the country at the time and the political powers in control.
A hero is any person who knowing the risk to themselves puts themself in harms way for the benefit of others. It does not have to be grave danger, it can be giving up freedoms so others can have a better life. It does not have to be in a time of war or a burning building or a torrential flood or natual disaster. It can be in an industrial or office setting reporting wrong doing or being the grandmother down the street who cares for the little children left to tend for themselves and doing without for them rather than herself.
We all have our own heros for different reasons. Because my reason is different than yours, that person is no less a hero to me than yours is to you.
__________________
Now you have to picture a combination of PeeWEE Herman and Wally Cox but with less muscle tone, trying to be intimidating None of this is funny! Message edited by Cougar Mag -- 1/7/2005 1:16:42 AM >/b]
Definition of Hero?
